Report: Ellison says he’ll give up seat if elected DNC chair

WASHINGTON – Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison upped his bid for the Democratic National Committee Chairman job last month, promising union leaders he would step down from his congressional seat to focus on the party if elected.

Ellison made the concession during a private meeting with the AFL-CIO, a national federation of labor organizations, according to The Washington Times.

Previous DNC chairs like Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Tim Kaine held on to their seats while running the committee, but Democrats have expressed interest in electing someone focused wholly on party building this time around.

Wasserman Schultz came under fire this summer for apparent conflicts of interest, which ultimately resulted in her resignation.

Ellison has previously said he would be able to juggle the two roles should he be elected chairman, but his support has faltered after controversial comments he made in the past resurfaced.

In addition to comparing President George W. Bush to Hitler and disparaging his political opponents, Ellison questioned U.S. foreign policy in regards to the country’s unwavering support for Israel.

“The United States foreign policy in the Middle East is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people,” Ellison said during a speech in 2010. “A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. Does that make sense?”

The Minnesota congressman was the first Muslim elected to serve in Congress and has been praised by fellow Democrats for his progressive agenda.

Ellison picked up endorsements from high-ranking Democrats Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

He faces New Hampshire Democratic Chairman Raymond Buckley and South Carolina Democratic Chairman Jaime Harrison in the February election.